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NFL Roundup: Tebow lands with Patriots

In his usual terse tones, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick blandly said little or nothing to promote Tebowmania on Tuesday in his first press conference after the team signed controversial quarterback Tim Tebow.

"Anything we do is what we feel is in the best interest of the team," Belichick said. "Tim is a talented player, smart, works hard, so we'll see how it goes."

Tebow, who chose to wear his high school uniform number (5), wasn't nearly as guarded. In his first -- extremely brief -- comments in a Patriots' practice uniform Tuesday after the opening day of minicamp wrapped up, Tebow said he was glad to have a chance with New England.

"First and foremost, I just want to thank the Patriots for giving me an opportunity. I'm very thankful," said Tebow. "It's such an honor to be a Patriot and play for coach (Bill) Belichick and (offensive coordinator Josh) McDaniels, and learn under (quarterback) Tom (Brady), and be a part of this great franchise and very successful franchise."

ESPN.com reported that the deal is worth $1.1 million and includes a $250,000 signing bonus.

---Tobogganing at the Super Bowl, anyone? When the NFL comes to New York City this winter, in advance of the game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., the league extravaganza will feature many bells and whistles.

The Daily News has obtained details and artist renderings of some of the major plans for "Super Bowl Boulevard," a football-themed spectacle between 34th and 44th Streets. Broadway will feature an eight-lane, 180-foot long, 58-foot-high toboggan run equipped to handle up to 1,000 riders an hour. Planned for between 40th and 41st Sts., the run is scheduled to be open from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1, the day before Super Bowl XLVIII is played at MetLife Stadium.

---Construction of the San Francisco 49ers new stadium in Santa Clara, Ca., was halted Tuesday morning after a worker died in an elevator shaft.

Santa Clara police Lt. Kurt Clarke didn't disclose details the incident, which occurred just before 7 a.m. local time. The new $1.3 billion venue, called Levi's Stadium, is expected to open in 2014.

"The 49ers organization was deeply saddened to learn this morning of the news at the construction site," the team said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers affected by this tragedy. The 49ers family has lost a teammate today."

---Rather than accept a reduced salary to remain with the Baltimore Ravens, fullback Vonta Leach opted for his outright release Tuesday.

Leach played two seasons (2011-12) with the Ravens and was named to the Pro Bowl both years. In 2012, the Ravens scored the most points (398) and produced the second-most total yards per game (352.5) in franchise history.

To replace Leach on the roster, the Ravens re-signed tight end Billy Bajema.

The team's leading tackler for each of the past five seasons, Greenway is scheduled for arthroscopic surgery Wednesday. He was absent Tuesday from the team's eighth voluntary organized team activity (OTA) session.

---Tight end Kellen Winslow, Jr. had a tryout with the New York Jets on Tuesday.

Winslow, who played in one game for the New England Patriots last season, had less than 24 hours to review the playbook but said he's comfortable with the West Coast style of offense the Jets run.

---Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones pleaded not guilty to assault charges after police say he tried to hurt a woman, according to multiple reports.

A police complaint says the 29-year-old Jones is accused of hitting a Cincinnati woman shortly before midnight June 5, resulting in minor injuries. His agent, Peter Schaffer, told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Monday that two drunk women approached Jones and wanted to have their picture taken with him last Wednesday. When he declined, one woman threw a beer bottle at him and was then slapped by Jones.